Waalabyeki Magoba is a Ugandan prolific multi awards winning Luganda language author of fiction and non-fiction. He embarked on writing as a teenager in 1967, ever since he has not put his pen down. To date (2023) he has 110 titles on his credit; 70 adults’ and 40 children’s works.
Magoba has three works which are examined at O and A Levels of education. In the meantime, several Universities in Uganda and abroad teach his books.
He is very passionate at grooming avid readers and excellent writers in children that is why he has singlehandedly initiated a three strategies to nurture and boost children’s literacy in Luganda, a language spoken by most children in central Uganda especially in the rural areas.
The first strategy is this: before 1994, there were very scanty Luganda children’s books. Magoba has intervened by writing 40 Luganda children’s works geared at making reading a lifelong very intriguing and lovely experience. His stories reflect a child’s day to day world.
Secondly, Magoba believes that a good reader is a good writer and a good writer is a good reader that is why in 2014 he established a children’s newsletter THE DIAMOND/ DAYIMANDA in which the children developed their writing skills. A child was free to write in either language.
Lastly he organizes Luganda literature and literacy festivals in different parts of central Uganda to enable children celebrate the beauty of the written word in Luganda. During the festivals, children showcase their skills in reading, writing, spelling, comprehension and drama.
For twenty years Magoba was a Luganda folklore specialist at Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) where he hosted a weekly oral literature show: EKYOTO (The fire place). While at CBS he initiated and edited the only Luganda cultural magazine: ENTANDA YA BUGANDA for 10 years which focused on culture and development.
Currently Magoba is executing his literally mega project dubbed AMAGOBA GA COVID19 which involves self-publishing 27 works 10 for adults the rest children’s which he wrote during the two Covid 19 lockdowns.
Magoba believes that his writing career is a Divine assignment designed to empower and entertain the old and young who understand Luganda.
